Compare Products
Pick a beam product and size. We will find the closest match from every other product family and show you how they compare — wood and steel, side by side.
Which beam type?
Nominal width
Select after width
Start by picking a product
Select a beam product family above, then choose a width and depth. We will show how every competitor stacks up.
Not a Design Document — Comparison only. Based on manufacturer published design values (wood) and AISC properties (steel). Not engineering advice. Verify with project Engineer of Record. Bardowl Design LLC assumes no liability.
Knowing the numbers is step one. Selecting the right product for your project loading, bearing, and span conditions is step two. Bardowl Design can help.
Request Sizingdesign@bardowl.co | 314-897-7649
Find Beams by Span
Tell us how far you need to span and how wide the beam can be. Dropped beams hang below the floor system. Flush beams sit within the joist depth — different deflection criteria apply.
In feet
Available space
Loading & beam type
Optional
Enter your span length
Type in the distance (in feet) your beam needs to cover. Results will appear automatically.
Not a Design Document — These are maximum capacities at published values. Your actual beam depends on loading, bearing, connections, and building code. Verify with project Engineer of Record. Bardowl Design LLC assumes no liability.
These results show what is possible. Your actual beam selection depends on your specific loads and conditions. Let BOD size it properly.
Request Sizingdesign@bardowl.co | 314-897-7649
Head-to-Head
Pick any two specific beams and see exactly how they compare on every property. Optionally enter a controlling span and beam type to see actual load capacities at L/480 and L/360.
VS
ft (optional)
Deflection criteria
Pick two beams to compare
Select a baseline product (A) and a challenger (B). We will show every property side by side with percentage indicators.
Not a Design Document — Comparison only. Not engineering advice. Verify with project Engineer of Record. Bardowl Design LLC assumes no liability.
Comparison shows what the products can do. BOD determines what your project needs. That is the difference.
Request Sizingdesign@bardowl.co | 314-897-7649
Steel → Glulam Conversion
Select a steel W-shape. We will show the Douglas Fir and Southern Yellow Pine glulam equivalents that match or exceed its bending strength and stiffness — the two properties that control simple-span dropped beams. Results start at 5-1/2" width (capped at 16" depth) — 6-3/4" only appears when 5-1/2" can't do the job.
Pick the steel beam you want to replace
Select a steel size
Pick a W-shape from the dropdown. We will find all glulam sizes that match or exceed its structural capacity.
Not a Design Document — Conversion based on published ASD design values only. Does not account for connection detailing, lateral bracing, bearing requirements, creep under sustained load, fire rating, or project-specific loading. Steel and glulam behave differently under every condition that matters. Verify all conversions with project Engineer of Record. Bardowl Design LLC assumes no liability.
Swapping steel for glulam? The numbers get you started, but bearing, connections, deflection under sustained load, and lateral bracing all change. Let BOD do the full conversion properly.
Request Conversion